my front pump seal has a minor leak also & I took care on installing the new seal when I put this (727) trans in. I may have distorted it a bit tho I was careful just because of this exact potential. I packed the garter spring with vaseline all to no avail. my next one I might have to locate the seal driver that goes into the seal ID then you drive it in.

live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth